Summer Glow Boot Camp!

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians!!!!

Why I am proud to be Canadian:

I am proud to be a Canadian because we are FRIENDLY people! It sounds cliché, but it is TRUE!

I also love the beauty of our country and the diversity in climate that you find all over. Where else can you find several inches of snow in the summer?! ;) Sadly, I haven’t even visited a tiny portion of Canada’s countryside, but I would LOVE to do a cross country trip some day! :)

Yes, I love BEER, HOCKEY, and love to say ‘EH’ just like the rest of ‘em…but I DON’T live in an igloo (although I think my dad did as a kid).

And because who doesn’t love some good Canadian jokes…

CANADIAN JOKE #1A Canadian is walking down the street with a case of beer under his arm. His friend Doug stops him and asks, "Hey Bob! Whacha get the case of beer for?" "I got it for my wife, eh." answers Bob. "Oh!" exclaims Doug, "Good trade."

CANADIAN JOKE #2In Canada, we have two seasons…six months of winter and six months of poor snowmobiling

YAYYY!!!!
Happy Canada Day first!! ;) I’d love to be in Canada right now! :)

And thanks for this awesome new Challenge!! I’m on my way to explore the new page and I’m really eager to get this started!!
This Challenge will go better then the last!! (In which I really sucked!!)
So thanks!! And have a nice day!! <3

my best health living tip is that i go on three 30 minute walks a day which is a total of 10,000 steps and they say walking 10,000 steps a day is the best way to keep your body healthy from disease. I spread each walk out from morning, afternoon and evening, and i feel great after each walk! :)

Sounds so exciting.
I guess my healthy living tip..that I try to go by..= embrace balance…drink a buttload of water, eat healthy, but also eat some sweets, get outside and get moving! Pretty simple ;) I am putting that glowbootcamp ad in my sidebar riiiight now.

Happy Canada day!
I definitely want to participate!
my best tip would be: Learn to love exercising, not because it makes you thin, love it because it makes you happy and strong. Enjoy healthy food, because it nourishes you the way you deserve, and it’s pretty tasty! : )

I’m in! So excited to participate!! My healthy living tip: be prepared with healthy meal and snack ideas for daily eats while at home and vacation- healthy meals are easy with a well stocked fridge of produce! Also, find ways to be active everyday- just MOVE!! Xoxxo thanks ange :)

I’m definitely in! I’m so excited about this challenge, hopefully it will help me to overcome my negative attitude and help me get to a better place with my relationship with myself. Thanks for doing this! My healthy living tip is to learn to love exercise for the way it makes you feel, not the way it makes you look. I’m working on this one myself…

Hi Angela! :) Happy Canada Day! I was born very close to Canada (Niagara Falls) so a little part of me is celebrating! ;)

I am SO excited to participate in SGBC in July! I actually JUST got engaged to my boyfriend this past Sunday (he proposed on the TOP of Mt. Washington – after we climbed to the 6,288 ft. summit! It’s the tallest mountain in the North East!). I am so excited to start wedding planning – which also includes getting my “healthy self” back up to par. :) My healthy living tip: Don’t think of exercise as a chore – any daily activity can become exercise! Cleaning, dancing around, walking to the grocery store, etc.

Hi Angela! I started reading your blog at the very end of the BBBC and I am so excited to get to participate in this one! My favorite healthy living tip: eat well when you can control it (ie. home cooked meals) but don’t stress when you can’t control it. Also, exercise should be fun for you and make you feel good- NOT just to lose weight!

Yay for SGBC! I’m so excited for this! I’ve been trying to stay motivated and since we just booked our photographer for the wedding and engagement shoots (eek!) I’m really wanting to look my best so I feel good and show my “inner glow” on these pictures.

My best healthy living tip is moderation and balance. I tend to do really well or do nothing. I need to learn how to stay in the middle and be happy. I’m getting better.

My healthy living tip:
You have to make your health a priority. There is always time to get in a quick exercise if you really want it. Eating good and exercising should not be thought of with dread. I think of it as a lifestyle and not a diet.

I missed participating in the BBBC and am super excited to be around for the SGBC! One of my best healthy living tips is to simply enjoy what you are doing. Find exercise and activity that you love. Find healthy foods that excite your taste buds. Love the feeling of your body after a healthy meal or invigorating sweat session. The more you find joy in life, the more you are likely to continue to pursue that healthy lifestyle and (of course) the happier you will be.

I am so excited for SGBC! My best healthy living tip is simple. Drink LOTS of water. I drink water all through the day and probably get in about 100 oz each day. It helps keep my skin clear and GLOWING!

Happy Canada Day
I am reading this while drinking my first Green monster very good, I cannot wait to start this program. It may be corny and an old remedy but my healthy tip is “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” really is a true way to stay healthy.

I’m excited about this because I discovered your blog way too late to join the last challenge!

My best healthy living tip is playing ultimate frisbee a couple times a week. It’s a fast paced, team sport (kind of like soccer but with a frisbee). It forces me to push myself athletically (running and sprinting), but also gives me other health benefits. For example, finding a team to play with when I moved to a new city gave me a bunch of new friends and tons of opportunities to laugh and smile. I definitely think enjoying your life is a healthy living tip!

This is especially important for people who eat processed foods that are bad for you. Although, now that I eat clean most of the time, I eat to live and live to eat because healthy food is really tasty. Nothing better than shrimp, mango, avocado, black beans, cilantro and lime.

Happy Canada Day!
I am sooooo excited about the SGBC. I recently discovered your blog and I am hooked! I read all about the BBBC, and it sounded so much fun. I am 6 wk postpartum, and I have started exercising 4 weeks ago on my own doing yoga for the core, walking, Jillian videos and a bit of running. However I see the SGBC as a source of motivation and a fun, challenging way to get stronger and back in shape WITHOUT overobsessing on the scale numbers.

My healthy living tip: think “rainbow” when it comes to your plate – each day choose foods that comes in a variety of colors.

My healthy living tip is that I schedule my workday to have a workout. I know I do best when I workout before going to work, but if I know I have to wait until after work it is scheduled in there and that is my time!

Also something that has made my life happier and healthier is straining 1% yogurt (this is for thickness) to make homemade Greek yogurt. I am always so happy to have it as dessert or a snack with berries! It is so thick and creamy and delicious!

I’m so excited for the summer boot camp. I didn’t participate in the last one, and I wished that I did! Thanks for doing another one!

My best healthy living tip is to find exercise you enjoy. For the last few weeks I’ve been dreading working out because I was burnt out on what I was doing. So the day before yesterday I went and joined a new gym. I have loved getting up to go to classes the last couple of days. It is so amazing to actually look forward to your workout!

My favorite healthy living tip (since I have MANY!) is to keep in mind the 80-20 overall “rule”- 80% clean nutrition eating & 20% craving-inserted-here. It keeps me sane, and prevents any feelings of guilt or shame for indulgences! Life is too short to limit ourselves!

My favorite healthy tip is to exercise no matter what you do and to do what you enjoy. Why spend an hour of your life doing something you hate? Find a cardio, heart pumping activity that you love then you will start to love exercise :)

Yay! This looks like fun :-)
My healthy living tip is freshness — fresh veggies, fresh fruits, fresh meat, fresh everything-you-can-get-your-hands-on.
A lot of people say it’s more expensive, but I’ve found buying my freshness at a local farmer’s market makes it way more affordable than the grocery store!

And probably my second one (since it’s a tie in my mind) is my exercise. I ALWAYS ALWAYS do it. When I started, I had to think of it kind of like work — it isn’t an “option” if I go to work, so it isn’t an “option” if I work out! But now, after 3 years of continual exercise, I find I really miss it if I don’t do it.

My best tip: love yourself and be healthy for yourself. Don’t exercise like crazy and restrict your eating to just lose weight, but do things that are good for you. Drink water, eat healthy, be active, and SLEEP.

I am so excited about the SGBC. My healthy living tip is one that I have borrowed from MizFit. Instead of think of exercise as a “workout” I think of it as a “playout”. When we were younger, we just played – it was fun, we were active and we felt great. Now I try to find ways to “play” every day – dodgeball with my nieces, tag with my nephews, biking with my husband. I find that this simple shift in thinking makes me look forward to the exercise time instead of dreading it.

I’m a relatively new reader of your blog and I’m super excited to participate in the SGBC! I have definitely had a negative mindset lately and have been looking for a positive boost. July is my month to make my turn around!

My healthy tip is that you have to make a lifestyle change both in mind and body to be truly successful at achieving a healthy life. But sometimes you are going to fail, you just have to stay positive and keep going.

My healthy tip is not to worry about what other people think or say. For years, I compromised my eating habits just to avoid the comments from others. Now I realize that my healthy eating can be an inspiration to others if I let it! :)

Remember to be good to yourself FIRST – get pampered, eat well, exercise regularly. Since I have two small kids, I often say…”a happy Mom = a happy family” but this really applies to anybody, not just those of us who are parents. I believe if we feel great and are happy and content with ourselves, it directly translates into happy people surrounding us.

I am so excited about SGBC!
My best healthy living tip is to do a couple yoga poses or strength moves while I’m watching one of my favorite tv shows! It’s easy to keep doing exercises when you have some good entertainment on. I set a goal each Sunday for what stregth moves I want to do each day at minimum. If I’m in front of a good show, I often find I do more than the minimum;)

I would love to participate in the SGBC.
I have been struggling with my self-image and my eating habits. Therefore, my healthy tip is to love myself and pamper myself in a way that I take care of my body and my spirit. I make it a point to eat healthy and exercise every day. As long as I exercise and eat pretty healthy most of the time I am happy and I feel better about myself. But I have a long way to go :)
Thanks Angela!

My healthy living tip is to fuel your body with plenty of whole foods! And once you do, you’ll realize just how delicious and satisfying clean eating is! Energy levels go up and you simply feel great from the inside out.

i’m joining this time because with your last challenge I came in at the end so I didn’t really stick to it. This time i’m starting at the beginning and hope to see a big difference in one month!!!!
my get healthy tip is to practice yoga EVERYDAY. even 20 minutes a day is enough. It helps you become more flexible and much more relaxed. It’s my favorite form of exercise

I’m in this one! You know, I want to get my butt back in shape by august.. what better way to do so then with the motivation of some kickass prizes? Haha!

My healthy tip is to.. just dance! C’mon. Burns a little extra calories, loosens everything up, and it’s fun as hell. You don’t need equipment, and sometimes you don’t even need music to bust out a couple of moves. It can be done practically anywhere. It’s especially handy when you don’t have any motivation to work out that day. :)

My best healthy living tip is to move your body and listen to your body! You don’t have to do anything major or strenuous just MOVE and LISTEN! Also, sweat is your friend, it is sexy and means you are doing amazing things to your body!

I would like to join the summer boot camp! I’ve been excited to hear about it for days!

I think my healthiest habit is slowly conquering my bad food habits and trading them for healthier ones. I’ve switched to super healthy breakfasts and lunches (Green Monsters, no meat lunches high in protien, veggies and good carbs!) I’ve been solidly getting in 5 servings of colorful fruits and veggies.

I am so excited about SGBC!!! This is just what I need to keep my summer active. Thank you!!
My health tip is about saying active.
If you lay out your workout clothes before you go to bed it gives that little extra boost you need to get going in the early morning hours.

Wow – you’ve sure put a ton of work into this! Thank you. I hope to learn balance through this but I have a LONG way to go. My healthy tip is to have a positive attitude. Our internal talk can really drag us down. Thanks again!!

I have been so excited about the summer glow boot camp! I have 2 healthy living tips. 1) Eat a big, filling, delicious, healthy breakfast. 2) Spend plenty of time with your friends, significant other, and family and treasure every moment of it!

I’m so excited to participate in this, I found your blog only after the last bootcamp had already started and I was extremely excited that you agreed to put together a summer version.
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION – something my mom always instilled in me. And, with my yoga training and teaching – BALANCE! Linked together = a happy and healthy life.

Hi Angela, Thank you so much for doing this. My tips to healthy living are eating well, trying to exercise everyday, drinking green monsters in the a.m, drinking lots of water, and loving myself. Thanks for all your inspiration. I think you should write a book!! Best, Rebecca

Great job, Angela! I’ve been waiting for this since you first hinted about it.

My healthy living tip is to remember every thing you do for your body, but positive and negative, is for YOU and for nobody else. And when you learn that, I feel like you become truly motivated to make the right choices because you realize you’re the ultimate benefactor of great, positive decisions made.

I dunno if this has been mentioned before but I am a BIG believer in balance. To me it’s what healthy living is all about. You DON’T need to exercise 7days/week for 2hrs and you DON’T need to eat the healthiest food 100% of the time. You can have your cake and eat it too!

My best healthy living tip is to find your healthy that makes you happy! It’s not worth doing what someone else is doing if you’re not happy and enjoying your life. You know what’s best for you, so just keep at it!

i’m so excited for this challenge!
my best healthy living tip is fitting in some sort of exercise every day. it could be anything, just get up and move around! i know i always feel better after a good workout:)

I’m excited to be part of this! My healthy living tip is to always read ingredients (even if it seems healthy). If you can’t even pronounce the first three ingredients, they have no business being in your body.

My best healthy living tip: eating whole foods. In college I lived on processed foods (Top Ramen for lunch and dinner). I was vegetarian, but not very healthy. Since eliminating processed foods I feel so much better and have a ton of energy! Looking forward to boot camp!

I’d love to participate in SGBC! My best healthy living tip is to keep moving! Whether it just be deciding to walk over to a co-worker’s office instead of calling or emailing, or taking a parking spot further away from the store, or a full on workout. I feel as long as I keep active throughout the day, it helps me overall to be a healthier person.

I caught the end of your first Bootcamp and the awesome results you had with it, so I thought: This might be for me! I already exercise daily, but I would like help in honing in on toning certain body parts and, of course, eating habits. I tend to be a big snacker…and love my carby totilla chips and things that just don’t fill me up. I wish I reached for only the healthy snacks like raw veggies all the time, but that’s not what I crave. I would like help on getting my cravings under control!!

My healthy tip is to try new fruits and vegetables! Learn to love healthy foods by trying things in new and exciting ways. The only way to eat healthy for the long haul is to actually enjoy what you’re eating.

So excited for the boot camp. I have noticed I really need to tone up after a long break from exercise due to injury. You definitely put a lot of work into this, and it looks great!!

My best health tip = make exercise fun. Don’t do it just to look good, do it because of how it makes you feel. I love to take walks with my fiance after dinner because we get to spend time together and unwind after our day. It doesn’t hurt that we may be burning some extra calories also :)

I think Wisconsin should be included as part of Canada. Haha, we have terrible weather here too… we basically have 2 months of summer and 10 months of winter. Personally, I hate it, but what can ya do? ;)

What I’ve learned over the past few years is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. A lot of times I ate what I had read/thought was good for it or exercised how I thought I should, but the real key to success is to just LISTEN and eat/do what makes ME feel best!

I can’t wait to start this challenge! I missed the last one, so it’ll be fun this time around for me!

I have only recently stumbled upon your blog and have ever since been inspired by your words and our wonderful outlook on life!

I have already learned so much from you about how to truly bring out your inner glow!

I am very excited about partaking in the Summer Glow Boot Camp! In the last year I have lost over 35 pounds and have been truly struggling with allowing my body to be truly healthy. I believe that SGBC will play a big role in my continued transformation!

I am so excited about your Boot Camp, Angela, and I love that you include self-esteem and self-love exercises also. So cool. The biggest self-care tip I have is to do something nurturing for myself every single week. I actually write a little box on my calendar each week to remind myself to take some time to sit and breathe deeply, read a magazine, do my nails–whatever it is that will make me feel good and responsible only for myself. Once I’ve done my nurturing activity for the week, I get to check off my box. I know, it seems crazy that I only do one nurturing activity per week, but I’m a buy gal! And being responsible for checking that box off motivates me to slow down a little bit and listen to what I need to do to take care of myself each week.

Best healthy living tip? That’s a hard one- there is so many! Well I think the best healthy living tip is to enjoy each new day that is given to you and surround yourself with things that you love! Don’t settle for anything- do what you love!

My best healthy living tip is to try to eat as cleanly as possible. I love how I feel because of not eating processed foods, dairy or meat. I know it might not be for everyone to cut out meat and dairy, but it has made me feel great! Also, move when you can. I don’t always have time for an official work out, but I try to walk throughout my day as much as possible. While working, I will eat lunch at my desk and take a lunch break to walk outside for at least a half an hour. I am excited to participate in the boot camp!

Hello Angela,
Happy Canada Day to you too! EH!
I started reading your blog about 2 months ago, I am starting my own road to weightloss and find that the best healthy living tip I can live by is to get out there and move.
I look forward to participating in this challenge.
Thank you!

My best tip would be not having an all or nothing attitude. SO often people get caught up in the mentality that if they eat something “bad” that they might as well give up for the day, or if they can’t workout for an hour or more than they might as well not do it. I’ve fallen victim to this mentality so many times myself.

I can’t wait for this challenge! I already put the logo on my blog, i missed the last challenge, so i’m glad i caught this one.

I’m definitely in on this one:). Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

My Healthy Tip: Cook healthy meals in bulk, so you’ll have extra to freeze for a quick, home-made “Lean Cuisine” meal. This helps me a ton when I’m getting ready for work and don’t want to take the time to make something involved.

Here I am!!! I am ready to enter the SCBC and I’m fashionably 2 hours late (haha!).
My best healthy living tip is to do what you love as often as possible. Without something in your life that you love, stress and depression ensue and take over your life!
For me, it is running and photography.
Matching this with consistent exercise and healthy eating will do wonders in one’s life!
-Muffy

I am really looking forward to the Summer Glow Boot Camp! It sounds like July will be an amazing month. My healthy living tip is to just get outside! You don’t need to go to the gym to exercise. Use the resources that you have right outside your door.

What I’ve been learning lately is that it’s not about “losing weight” or “getting healthy” or exercising because you “need to”… The biggest thing I’ve learned is that if I’m only eating healthy to “lose weight,” then one bad day on the scale is enough to throw it all away because it’s “not working.” The reality is that it’s not about a number on the scale. It’s not about a clothes size. It’s about your health and taking care of yourself, and yeah, that other stuff is a part of it and will come in time, but the bigger picture is about so much more than the numbers. Now that I’m eating better, I feel better. Working out makes me feel better. The rest,… it’ll come… and when it does, that’ll be great, but a bad weigh in or a pair of pants fitting tightly is no longer enough for me to throw it all out the window.

My healthy living tip–On days where your workout is feeling like a complete bear, turn it into a triathlon. 10-15 minutes doing 1 thing (running, 10-15 minutes doing something else (abs/pushups/lunges or a different type of cardio) and 10-15 minutes of something else (stretching, yoga or a third cardio). Before you know it, you’ve still done 30-45 minutes without feeling completely burnt out.

I have 2 healthy living tips: water and walking. I am constantly guzzling water. I have refillable water bottles everywhere, like my desk, my car, my desk, etc. that I am chugging out of all day. I have no idea how much I drink, but I know it far exceeds the “recommended” 64 oz. a day.

I also love to walk when I can. I would rather eat my lunch at my desk and use that time to get in a walk. I’ll walk to the further T stop or get off a stop earlier. Any chance I get, I’m hoofing it!

Hi Angela! Happy Canada Day! I cannot believe how beautiful Canada is, so green and crisp- I live in New Mexico and it is almost exactly opposite, dry and parched.

Thanks for this challenge. I REALLY need it. I am almost 28 and my husband and I have 5 beautiful kids from 7 down to 3 months old, and to say that I’ve lost touch with myself is an understatement. I don’t have a lot of healthy advice to give, as I am just sort of hanging on for dear life right now, but if I could give a tip it would be to SLEEP and have SEX!! Get as much sleep as you can, and “sleep” with your love as often as you are able. You don’t realize how beneficial these can be until you aren’t getting enough. Sleep and sex are the two most overlooked healthy activities you can do for yourself (and your husband or wife will thank you).

My healthy tip is nice and easy does it. As a dancer, I deal with injuries often, so I had to learn to listen to my body when I exercise. My main challenge is my back injury. If I even slightly overdo abs exercises, I would not be able to bear weight on one of my legs the next day. By trial and error, regular core exercise in small doses, taking baby steps, helped me go from not being able to walk in 2006, to competing ballroom at the US national championships this year.

My best healthy tip is moderation in everything. Get a good night’s sleep, but not too much.
Also, set a goal and stick to it! My fiancé and I wanted to get in shape for our wedding this september, so we signed up for (and are training for) a marathon that takes place 2 weeks after our wedding! The goal has really helped us stick to our plans. Also, having a partner who can encourage you really helps!

What a great idea! I’m so excited to start! OK, my healthy tip? I like to plan portable snacks for me and for my kids when we’re out of the house. That way we don’t get hungry, cranky and eat the wrong thing. Thanks!

My healthy living tip is listen to your body. Overdoing it or not taking a break when your body needs it can result in some nasty, lasting injuries. I hurt my knees trying to do too much too fast, and as a result I was unable to workout for six months. I still have to be careful of my knees and take good care of them so that the same thing doesn’t happen to me again. Taking a rest day is a GOOD thing…totally part of a healthy lifestyle. :)

I am so excited to the SGBC! I missed the last one, so I am happy you decided to do another!

Healthy Living Tip: Bring fitness and nutrition to work! Nutrition: On Monday I bring a weeks worth of fruits, breakfasts, and snacks I can have during my 9-hour days. It keeps you away from the vending machine and keeps you snacking on healthy choices so you are not ravenous when you get home after a long day. Fitness: Squeeze in exercises- I have stairs in my building so when I realize I have been sitting for too long, I make myself get up and walk up and down the stairs a couple times. I park at the top of the parking garage even though there are spaces on the main floor. Sometimes ff I know I will not get a workout in that day, I’ll make myself do the stairs on the hour every hour, or everytime I have to use the bathroom, go to the one on the top floor.

I just recently stumbled upon your blog and I love it! I also love to see the president’s choice products since I too am from Canada and it’s nice to see items that I am actually able to find on a blog.

My living healthy tip is actually quite a common one. When I think I’m feeling hungry, I always take a few sips of water (from a reusable water bottle, of course) to make sure that I am not just bored or thirsty. It’s small and simple, but I’m pretty sure it has saved me a few binges over the years.

I am so excited about this bootcamp, and happy Canada day to all of us Canucks!

Always keep healthy portable snacks and a water bottle with you. I always have a stash of larabars or other snacks (dried fruit, nuts, granola) in my car & purse. I usually have fresh fruits and veggies available at work to snack on, too.

I want to participate! My healthy living tip would be to stay active and thing positivly. Little bursts of activity add up. Get moving. Relaxing is fine, and our bodies need to relax at times, but we were designed to be active. Also, there is so much to be said for the power of positive thinking. When we want to be our best, we strive to do our best and in turn feel our best!

My healthy living tip is pretty well known in the blog world. Everything in moderation! I believe the key is a balance of healthy nutritious food, with a mix of treats! No depriving ourselves. And of course, exercise, with a mix of rest days! Our bodies need rest to perform at their best.

HAPPY CANADA DAY! As a soon-to-be Canadian by marriage, I’m pretty excited for this new holiday. I feel like one of those kids who has a Jewish mom and a Christian dad so she gets to celebrate a week of Chaunukkah before Christmas. :)

My healthy living tip is to stop and take a few deep breaths every so often. I find that I spend a lot of time rushing though life – and I miss special moments and beautiful everyday happenings. I need to remind myself to literally stop and ‘smell the roses’ every so often – it really brightens my day!

A tip (and I’m guilty of not taking my own advice!) is to take out your headphones and allow your thoughts and surroundings to be the soundtrack to your workout (especially running outdoors) at least once/week.

I’m so excited for the Summer Glow Boot Camp! My healthy living tip is to make sure I get enough sleep. If I’m tired I won’t be prepared for work, exercise, or even fun so I make sure to get in at least 8 hours a night if possible.

Now I’m going to go print off the calendar and add your sidebar to my blog – can’t wait to start!

I’m in. My tip is that the key is finding a balance between pushing yourself and listening to your body. You won’t make big strides unless to push through physical uncomfort and perhaps more importantly, mental block, but you also need to learn when your body is signaling to you to take a breather, have an easy day, eat a piece of chocolate.

Angela! The new challenge looks amazing! You are one hardworkin’ woman, so thank you for all the wonderful effort!

My healthy living tip is to treat eating well and exercise like any other vital task of your day. Would you go days without brushing your teeth- NO! Eating a balanced diet and getting in daily activity is just as important, so do it everyday and soon you’ll feel like somethings missing if you don’t!

I have been following your blog for a couple of months. I love your recipes and you are such a great source of inspiration on how to live life to the fullest. I am looking forward to the challenge. My healthy tip….as a working mother of a very busy little boy I have learned the importance of the little things. So easily lost in the daily rush of routine life. Children are amazing and find joy everywhere. My son is a constant reminder to slow down and appreciate our beautiful surroundings. Thank you Angela for being another source of inspiration in my life.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!! I love our country and all of the stereotypes that come along with it.

I am looking forward to my healthiest summer yet!

My healthy tip: Eat Breakfast… it’s a great way to start your day! It’ll give you the energy to get your exercise in and will also help improve mental alertness. Plus, everyone knows breakfast is the most important and, for me, yummiest meal of the day. There are so many options depending on your tastes. Yay Breakfast!

I’m in for the SGBC! This is just what I need to get me back in the game. Thanks!

My healthy tip: Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. You need to focus on being the best you can be instead of trying to look like/be like someone else. Once you can change that mindset, you can accomplish anything without the feelings of failure.

(I know I work on this every single day! I will never be a size 2, but I can be someone who is strong and healthy and who will be around long enough to play with my grandkids some day.)

-get enough sleep
-stay hydrated in the warm temps
-eat enough calories!
-cross train!
-make your workouts count: if you wake up super early to workout, make it count–push it like you would later in the day. No sense in a half-assed workout when you get up earlier than usual!
-ENJOY your workuts! Don’t do something you really don’t like!
-when you feel like you don’t want to be working out, aim for 20 minutes at least. If you, STILL want to stop, then stop, at least you got in those 20 minutes. If not, keep on going!

My healthy tip is I do everything in moderation… including moderation. I eat healthy most of the time so on the night I want Chinese food, I have it. And I don’t feel bad about it. The next day I just start eating the way I always do again. I’m active pretty much every day, but some days I feel like staying in and reading all day long, so I do. I just walk a little bit farther the next day. I find that by thinking this way and not trying to abide by any strict rules either eating or exercising, being healthy is pretty much a no brainer!

I am so excited!! I missed out on the last boot camp but I am SO in for this one! I am a big stress/boredom eater so my best tip is to wait 30 minutes before eating something that would totally ruin your hard work. I usually make sure I do something with my hands for those 30 minutes like knit or read a book so that I’m not fidgety and thinking about chucking food into my mouth. :)

I do a lot of baking also… although not of the healthy variety that you do (check my blog for the “gruesome” details haha).
I used to have the biggest problem sitting down to a homemade salad. I like ordering them in restaurants and LOVE going to salad bars but that’s not reasonable or economical. So I started buying “pre-cut” or already prepared things that I liked to add at the salad bar. I can squeeze several salads out of these buys – just toss everything together… also handy in wraps/sandwiches. I know I could always take the time to chop everything but until then… this works!

I am a runner…outside and treadmill. I have totally enjoyed breaking it up on the treadmill lately with high incline walks. It gets the sweat to drippin’!! I really feel like I get a better workout plus I have started doing treadmill push-ups. Not sure if I am doing them right but I know my arms are feeling it. I found your blog too late as well for the last boot camp. Super excited for this one!! Signed, Serious On the Glo bar lover!! Kristy :)

Healthy Tip: always carry healthy snacks with you. My friends know that at a movie, during intermission or even when taking the subway somewhere I always have a small container of raw nuts/figs (no sulphites) and some dark chocolate. It has come in handy so many times when I am out longer than I expected to be and need something to tide me over.

Love yourself and appreciate all the wonderful things about yourself!!!

My healthy tip is to remind yourself that it isn’t all about being “thin” or “a perfect size.” Look at the bigger picture and strive to just be healthy and be YOU! Everyone is made differently and if we all looked alike, the world would be a very boring place!

Oops! I forgot about the SGBC! I am definitely in!
My healthy living tip: I travel alot and go through many airports. I always avoid the moving walking belts and the escalators. Take the stairs and power walk! It really gets my legs moving and my blood circulating before/after long flights. :)

My healthy tip would be, which I am trying to follow myself, is be happy in the skin you are in. Make small, healthy changes to get to where you would like to be, which should be a healthy reasonable goal, and it will all fall into place. Be patient and love yourself. operation beatiful baby! I found your blog not too long ago and I love it. You are a very positive, nice person, go Canada! Too bad I live in New Jersey, people aren’t as nice.

I’m ready! I’m so excite to do this! I love working out but I always struggle with specific exercises to do so I am really pumped to begin. My best healthy living tip is that whenever I get a craving for something I know I shouldn’t have, I drink a glass of water. The water makes my craving go away and makes me realize that my “craving” was really just thirst!

I always like to be prepared with a healthy snack when I know I’m not going to be home for a meal. That way I’m not tempted by an less healthy option. I also make sure that I get a 30 min walk in daily!!

My healthy living tip is to sneak in exercise with your pets. I have an Australian Shepherd mix named Blue and her breed is naturally energetic, therefore needing lots of exercise. My boyfriend is on vacation this week so I’ve been taking her for long walks every day in his place. She’s been much more well behaved, and I can’t help but like the fact I am sneaking in extra exercise as well!

My healthy living tip is to make healthy splurges! I never feel bad buying a more expensive fruit, vegetable, spice to add to a meal. You only have one body and you should give it the best fuel you can afford.

I am so excited to join the SGBC! My favorite healthy tip. Try to find everyday activities that can act as exercise also. I love it when I can work up a sweat, and say, get my floors clean, or play with my kids at the same time. Thanks for putting this all together Angela, I am excited to get started !

I want to participate! My healthy tip is bringing a water bottle with me every where – good for me AND the environment! Also, a really sweaty workout does wonders for my face – my skin is always really clear afterwards!

I am so excited for the SGBC! My healthy living tip is this: instead of fixating on calorie counting, focus on incorporating 5 – 9 servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet each day. You’ll be so busy eating all of those good fruits and greens that you can’t lose!

Happy Canada Day! I’m hoping the weather clears in time for fireworks tonight! I LOVE them and I have yet to see them in Waterloo so my fingers are crossed!!

Ooh this sounds like a cool challenge! I definitely want to participate. My best healthy living tip is everything in moderation. Just because you’re trying to lose or maintain weight doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you really love!

Healthy Tip- see the new movie Food Inc.! And read as much as you can about where our food comes from – so enlightening and motivating. Some of the great books I’ve read so far – The China Study and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Highly recommend.

Looking forward to participating in the SGBC and adding new exercises to my routine!

Healthy Tip: As a full time mom to a six year old and an eight month old, the healthy tip that works for me is tackling the gym in the early morning before my hubby and kids are up. When I get home after a workout, I am feeling energized and just overall terrific and have tons of energy to tackle whatever our hectic day may bring!

I am so happy that you decided to make another bootcamp. My healthy tip is to stay out of the kitchen and brush my teeth after dinner so I am less likely to give into those evil after dinner cravings! :)

I’m totally in and SUPER excited!! I have taken measurements and pictures — hello…wake up call! I can’t wait to see the changes that I will have made in a month – not just “size” wise, but habits and attitudes as well!!

My healthy living tip is take a drink between bites. If I take a drink in between each bite it helps me to slooow down, enjoy my food, and feel full before I finish everything completely gorge myself.

I have been reading your blog for about 3 months and I really love it, so glad I’ve taken the plunge and commented! I live in the UK.

My tip:

When arranging to catch up with friends, arrange to go for a walk. You chat and chat and before you know it you’ve walked miles! Then you have to walk all the way back to your car – great bonus exercise. I workout almost every day (in the gym or running outside) but always suggest walks to friends, even if it’s short and very laid back, it’s better than sitting in a coffee shop!

I am VERY excited about SGBC, especially since I missed out on the last one. My healthy living tip is to eat foods that are fresh and from the Earth, not foods that come in packages. ALSO, get up and move everyday. It makes you feel soooooooo much better! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. You are very motivating!

My healthy living tip is: Make living healthy fun. It is not always exciting to exercise when you don’t feel like it or order a green salad at a restaurant when everyone else is chowing down on burger and fries. However, if you make it fun by getting a dessert and sharing it, you will feel so much better and enjoy making healthy choices.

My healthy tip is: Don’t beat yourself up about indulging. I don’t believe that you can’t eat certain things, I believe that you can have everything in moderation. Life is too short to restrict yourself from eating certain things.

My favorite healthy living tip is to participate in new activities all year round especially for different seasons such as dragon boating in the summer or snowboarding in the winter. Its a great way to keep in shape and meet new people!

Thank you for all of your hard work in putting this together! I love yoga and running, but I am so lazy about strength training, so this is a much-needed challenge for me.
My healthy living tip is to schedule exercise in on your calendar like it’s an appointment, and treat it as non-negotiable unless you’re sick or injured. Doing this has kept me faithfully exercising 4-5 times a week for the past ten years!

I’ll have to come back to this page later to read everyone’s tips! I’m looking forward to this…my tip is to LAUGH. As much as you can, every day. Watch funny sitcoms or movies, or spend time with people who make you laugh (my boyfriend is AMAZING at this).

My healthy living tip: make time for friends and family and those you love. because no one wants to be fit and unhappy. You must surround yourself with positive people and make sure you spend time laughing and having fun with them. Even incorporate them into working out (ie- go for a walk with a friend to chat)

I carry a huge water bottle around with me everywhere I go. When I have a craving for an unhealthy snack, I drink some water first. Often just taking a few sips reminds me that I don’t really want an unhealthy snack.

I’m so glad you’ve put another boot camp together. I just want to get healthier and if I lose some inches (which I won’t know numerically since I will not be measuring myself) in July because of SGBC then that’s a bonus. I haven’t been taking care of myself since my injury (tennis elbow in both arms) for the last 5 months so this is a real calling. Thanks Angela!
My healthy tip: treat your workouts as a pampering session instead of a means to get you fit (though that is the reward).

My tip? When I first ‘got healthy’ the hardest thing was drinking enough water… so at the beginning of the day, I filled up a pitcher with filtered water (8 cups worth) and would drink it by the end of the day. It made this sometimes hard task simple, and it was easy to keep track and eventually I was going through a pitcher and a few extra glasses as well!

Woo hoo! I have really been wanting to participate in a challenge for the past few weeks and this is just the thing! I’m really excited. The only catch – I hope it’s okay if I’m swapping because this is my cardio day and tomorrow is strength so I will do today’s strength tomorrow!? The exercises look fantastic though. Excited to try some new moves!

My healthy tip is to honor your body each day and give it what it really needs – which might not always be food! Sometimes we mistake thirst, being tired, or some emotion for being hungry. I’ve been trying to identify what my body really wants and stop to think before reacting. It’s been so amazing to listen instead of just automatically reaching for food!

My health tip is to think of this statement: Remember, I am important too!!!
As a stay at home mom of two young kids, I often try and use the excuse, “but I don’t have time”. Well guess what chickies, MAKE TIME!!! YOU ARE IMPORTANT TOO!! My kids mean the world to me and I would do anything for them, but that will be hard to do if I’m not here! Being healthy is important!!

YES, this bootcamp is exactly what I need to GLOW :)
Healthy living tip- make sure to call or write to the people you love who live far away. It’s way too easy to forget that actions speak louder than words!

Love the website and excited to get my Glow on this month!
My healthy tip is to just try to do one thing each day – drink 8 glasses of water, don’t eat processed/sugary snacks, eat a big and dark green salad, do some sort of exercise or anything that is one step toward a healthy life!
Thanks!

I just found your website a month ago and love it! I can’t wait to try out the challenge. My healthy tip is… I found I was too tired after work to work out or things would come up that always sounded better than a run. So, I now wake up super early and run before work. It took a little getting used to but now I have so much more energy and no more excuses not to work out!

My healthy tip – pack a baggie of raw veggies to bring to work every day (if you go to work!)…it gives you something healthy and crunchy to snack on and keeps you away from the less healthy office choices.

I’m so excited about this challenge! I’m currently doing 3 (yes 3!!) challenges … and I love that this one will make me switch up my workout routine.

My best healthy tip – always carry a bottle of water and keep a healthy snack in your purse. I like to keep a stash of Larabars in my desk at work, in my car, and in my purse. That way I can still eat healthy if I find myself out and no good options. :)

I want to be a part of SGBC because I want to feel like a part of this awesome community! I think by adapting these workouts to my schedule is important-because we can’t revolve our lives around exercise but we can make it an important part of our lives.

I am extremely excited to start the SGBC! Currently, my workouts consist only of cardio and I am excited to learn new ways in which I can make my body stronger. I love how these exercises can be adapted to people of all fitness levels and can be done with minimal equipment.

I best healthy living tip is to do something active for at least 30 minutes each day. Also, listen to your body!!!

My healthy living tip is to find a hobby with a best friend/loved one that you want to spend more time with that is ACTIVE – like Sunday night long walks, picking up Squash with a friend, etc. Tennis is great for this!

My Mum and I often walk to Starbucks and back together (30ish minutes).

I am really excited about this! I try to eat a salad a day! Sometimes for lunch or sometimes with dinner. I find this to be a great way to get a lot of veggies in my diet! :) One more thing I do each and every day….laugh!!

my healthy living tip is to make yourself a plate, sit down, and enjoy your meals. I used to do lots of stand up snacking and picking at things throughout the day or while I was cooking- doing that, I never knew how much I actually consumed. Also, having a visual really helps me.

Hmmmm…perhaps I will try this Boot Camp out. It can’t hurt, that’s for sure :)

Healthy living tip? Don’t worry about the things you can’t control. One of the most important things I took from my sessions with sport pyschologists when I was training overseas. And it can be applied to so many things in life, other than just sport :)

Yay! I have been waiting for this ever since you first mentioned it.
My healthy living tip is to do whatever you like as long as it gets you moving! That way exercise doesn’t feel like a chore.
Love the jokes too! I saw this very Canada day fitting video today, thought you might enjoy it too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQf13B8epw
-K

My best healthy living tip? When you really REALLY don’t want to exercise – head out for a 20 minute walk or run. More often then not, you’ll just keep on going after 20 minutes, but if you don’t… at least you’ve gotten 20 minutes in!

My healthy living tip is that when you work-out, work out HARD. When I started focusing on the intensity at EVERY workout then I started getting stronger and feeling better about myself knowing I gave it 100%.

Darn it – missed the first day but I’m all set! My best healthy living tip: You can always DO something physical – even if it’s jumping jacks at home. Do it intensely, do it with passion and do it for a period of time (at least 30 minutes).

Hi Angela- I hope it’s not too late to join! I also missed the first day but now I am so excited to participate. My best healthy living tip is to live in moderation. Don’t beat yourself up if you overindulge one day or can’t manage to fit in a workout. If you keep feeling guilty about the little things, then you will miss out on feeling happy and beautiful. Life can be hectic and stressful, but all we can do is our best to stay active and healthy!

My best tip is cut out all the processed junk. I have spent forever doing Weight Watchers and using up my points with processed foods with unrecognizable ingredients. Although the weight would come off I wouldhave zero energy.

Since I have started eating clean and exercising I feel a million times better!

Count me in! My best tip is to listen to your body. Be willing to push and work hard through wanting to stop/not exercise/take it easy, but also heed its advice when it cries out for a rest day or for a workout switch-up.

I’m in! First topic of discussion at work today was needing a positive body image makeover so very appropriate that SGBC has kicked off!
My tip – make your workout a social event. How many times have you blown off a work out for time with the girls? Make your workout time part of girl time to help you stick with it!

Second tip – keep a toothbrush and toothpaste with you all the time and brush your teeth regularly. It’ll help curb your cravings (since everything tastes bad after brushing your teeth), rejuvenate you (peppermint and mint scents help you focus and be alert), and healthy teeth equal a healthy you.

I’m in!! My best healthy living tip is to listen to my body. I struggle with this one the most, and I need to learn to use food as my fuel and to listen. Learning to eat intuitively is something everyone should strive for!!

yay!!! im gonna do it!
except i have to take it easy and i cant really do cardio :(
i just sprained my foot, so ill probably be doing ab stuff. this will really motivate me! thanks SO much for making the workouts pretty much weight free! [i dont own any or have money for them]
whoo hoo!

oh i guess my healthy living tip is….
love yourself :)
i cant be healthy and happy [as ive learned the hard way] if i dont love me for who i am.

I’m a day late but I can’t wait to get started, this should be fun!
Hmmm, I’e got lots of healthy tips but I’m gonna stick to the old tried and true, enjoy everything in moderation don’t deprive yourself and of course EAT YOUR GREENS :)

my best tip is to always take a little time for you. We are always caught up in our different “hats” of the day that we sometimes forget our “me hat”. Taking 5 minutes for yourself to do something good is something you can never regret!

My healthy living tip is definitely WALKING. Most of the time, if it’s under two miles, it’s just as fast for me to walk as it would be to wait for the bus or train. It’s heart healthy, weight healthy, and definitely healthy for my mental sanity!

I hope it’s not too late to jump in! I am so excited about this boot camp–thank you so much for all of your hard work putting it together, Angela!! The healthy living tip I try to remember every day is to keep in mind the big picture and long-term goal of having a strong, healthy body and mind, rather than stressing about weight.

Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me! I’m in! I recently began running again and getting to where I could run continuously (like for more than 90 seconds at a time) was HARD – really hard. But I wanted to run the Susan Komen Race for the Cure for my mom (a survivor) and I did it! I ran the whole 5K just three weeks ago after six weeks of training to do it. Not easy!!!

So my healthy living tip comes from that experience. I had to learn to listen to my body again – some days it could do more, some days it needed me to be nicer to it. Icepacks on knees, stretching, etc. This old, out of shape body rewarded me by letting me cross that finish line with a big smile knowing I’d run the whole darn thing.

The hard part for some of us still trying to get a healthy mindset back is knowing if you’re really listening to your body or if you’re listening to those old voices telling you it’s OK to slack off. That took some real introspection, I tell you.

Now, the trusty old bod and I get it. It tells me when we are both ready for more and I listen when it says we need rest. The ugly old voices are gone – I think we scared them off with our sheer determination.

So count me in for SGBC! I’m looking for my next milestone in this journey and this will help me prepare for it.

I’m in! Healthy tip: Never think about healthy eating in terms of “being good” or “punishment,” but instead think of how you feel after you eat healthily as compared to after you eat something with no nutritional value. That’s enough to keep me in the right mind frame :-)

My best tip is plan! Plan your workouts, plan your meals, plan to get enough sleep… the days I don’t plan it out are the days things fall by the wayside and I eat something that is bound to make me feel crappy later. Plan plan plan.

Sorry I’m late to sign up, I was on a weeklong vacation.
My tip was going to be: Let your face breath – go without makeup, but then I saw you actually did a post on that very subject. I never wear makeup, my sis won’t go without it. Once I convinced her to cut back, her skin actually improved since it was able to breath.

My best tip is to “think small”, no matter how starving you feel order a small… whatever… and tell yourself you can have more after you finish and drink a large glass of water. 9 times out of 10 the small portion is more than enough to be satisfied! The other time – hey – you tried :)

I know I’m late joining but I’ve been working out on my own and just found out about this. Hope I can still join. Great site by the way.

A tip for those of us with a sweet tooth…when I’m meal planning, I always plan in a little sweet dessert at the end of the day. Something around 150 calories or less. It’s a nice treat at the end of the day and keeps me from going overboard at other times during the day.

I’m late, but excited to join! My healthy living tip is water, water, water. For variety, I love to add a slice of fruit to my water to flavor it. Anything will work – citrus slices, fresh berries, or my favorite – a slice of green apple!